Table of Contents
Key Points
- Brait SE’s profit surged 129.05%, reaching R1.02 billion ($56.45 million) in H1 2025, driven by strategic cost management amid market volatility.
- Revenue grew 3.69%, reaching R9.7 billion ($538.85 million), with MillBake and Groceries & International divisions contributing significantly to the rise.
- Strong leadership and strategic recapitalization boosted Brait’s NAV per share by 8%, reinforcing growth prospects for future expansion.
Brait SE, the prominent South African investment holding company with billionaire Christo Wiese as a key shareholder, has reported impressive results for the first half of 2025, defying challenging market conditions.
For the period ending Sept. 30, 2024, the company demonstrated notable resilience, with significant profitability and revenue growth.
Profit surge and solid revenue growth
Brait’s profit for the six months surged by 129.05 percent, reaching R1.02 billion ($56.45 million), up from R444 million ($24.64 million) in the previous year.
This sharp rise was attributed to the company’s strategic cost management and its ability to weather inflationary pressures and currency volatility.
Revenue showed positive growth, increasing by 3.69 percent from R9.35 billion ($519.8 million) to R9.70 billion ($538.85 million).
The growth was primarily driven by a 2.6 percent increase in its MillBake business, which generated R8.07 billion ($448.26 million).
Additionally, Brait’s Groceries & International division saw a robust 9.7 percent rise in revenue, reaching R1.63 billion ($90.23 million).
Strong performance across business divisions
Brait’s diverse portfolio continued to deliver strong results. Virgin Active reported a 16 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, with notable growth in international markets such as Italy (19 percent), Singapore (34 percent), and South Africa (16 percent).
The company also saw a 9 percent increase in yield, alongside a 6 percent rise in active members. Premier Group posted a 3.7 percent revenue increase, supported by effective margin management and cost-saving initiatives.
However, the retail environment in the UK proved challenging for New Look, resulting in a decline in its revenue.
Despite this, Brait’s strategic recapitalization in August 2024, which included a R1.5 billion rights offer, strengthened its balance sheet, lifting its Net Asset Value (NAV) per share to R3.10, an 8 percent increase since March 2024.
Resilient leadership and vision for continued growth
Brait’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to its strategic leadership and strong shareholder backing.
The company’s recapitalization plan has ensured stability without the need for forced asset sales, contributing to an 8.86 percent rise in total assets, from R15.2 billion ($843.81 million) to R16.57 billion ($918.6 million).
The company is further supported by influential stakeholders like Christo Wiese, who holds a 28.5 percent stake in Brait. This ownership and strong consumer brands, including Premier, Virgin Active, and Consol, position the company well for future growth in the unlisted consumer space.
